Virtual Service for June 20, 2021
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Music Sunday/Farewell and Godspeed to Nanette Lutz
The congregation reads the boldface responses.
PRELUDE
It is Well with My Soul, Horatio Spafford / Philip Paul Bliss
GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Today is Music Sunday. We celebrate not only God’s wonderful gift to us in music, but also our Music Director Nanette Lutz, who is retiring from her position here at Good Shepherd, so she and Bill may travel and enjoy their retirement.
Given that music is such a gift to us, we might think that it is mentioned many times in the Bible. Not as much as we might think! Music is very present in the Psalms, of which many are hymns, and today we read Psalm 150, a tribute to music! The Ephesians selected verses remind us that music allows us to sing out in praise and rejoice in the Lord. Music can also be prayer and lament, but today we make a joyful noise.
The selected Gospel verses are in the midst of the story of the prodigal son. The father makes music and celebrates at the return of his lost son. The other son holds on to bitterness and anger and thus cannot find joy in the music, The hope is that today we are able to let go of what is burdening us and find joy in our celebration.
Thank you God and thank you Nanette!
The congregation stands.
OPENING LITANY
Oh sing to the Lord! Oh sing God a new song!
For God is the Lord, and God has done wonders!
We thank God for music, which sounds all around us!
Let us play the bells, the lute and the lyre!
So dance for our God, and blow all the trumpets!
Oh shout to our God, who gives us the Spirit!
Give praise to our God for all of God’s blessings!
For Jesus is Lord. Amen! Alleluia!
GATHERING HYMN
When in Our Music God is Glorified, (WOV 802)
1. When in our music God is glorified,
And adoration leaves no room for pride,
It is as though the whole creation cried:
Alleluia!
2. How often, making music, we have found
A new dimension in the world of sound,
As worship moved us to a more profound
Alleluia!
3. So has the Church, in liturgy and song,
In faith and love, through centuries of wrong,
Borne witness to the truth in every tongue:
Alleluia!
4. And did not Jesus sing a psalm that night
When utmost evil strove against the light?
Then let us sing, for whom he won the fight:
Alleluia!
5. Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always
Alleluia!
Text: E. Pratt Green, b. 1903. Music: Charles V. Stanford, 1852-1924
Text copyright 1972, Hope Publishing Company
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: Oh God of creation, eternal majesty, you preside over land and sea, sunshine and storm. By your strength pilot us, by your power preserve us, by your wisdom instruct us, and by your hand protect us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The congregation is seated.
WORD
FIRST READING
Ephesians 5:1-2, 19-20
A reading from Ephesians
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALMODY
Psalm 150
A responsive reading from Psalm 150.
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
DEDICATION OF HANDBELLS
from Elizabeth Circle
The congregation stands.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL
Luke 15:20-25, 31-32
The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, oh Lord.
So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. Now his elder son was in the field; and when h came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
The congregation is seated.
SERMON IN MUSIC
Music Montage
PRESENTATIONS
The congregation stands.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, (LBW 551)
1. Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
Praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
2. All thy works with joy surround thee,
Earth and heaven reflect thy ways,
Stars and angels sing around thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird, and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in thee.
3. Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
All who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine!
Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1933 Tune: Ludwig von Beethoven, 1770-1877, adapt.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE FOR MUSIC SUNDAY
Oh, God, let the amen sound from your people again. Gladly we praise your name forever.
The response today to the words “Oh, God” is We sing your praise.
The prayers conclude:
May our songs remind us that you are a God who is worthy of all our praise. Help us to leave this place of worship with a new resolve: to honor whatever things are honorable, excellent, and worthy of celebration, whatever things are lovely, gracious, and of good report.
Amen.
The congregation is seated.
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
ANTHEM
For the Beauty of the Earth,
Dedicated to Carol Garwood
The congregation stands.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray: Jesus, Bread of Life,
you have set the table with your very self,
and called us to the feast of plenty.
Gather what has been sown among us,
and strengthen us in your meal.
Make us to be what we receive here,
your body for the life of the world.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever.
Amen.
The congregation is seated.
SENDING
FAREWELL AND GODSPEED
The congregation stands.
BLESSING
The blessing of God,
who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us,
☩ be upon you now and forever.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN
My Life Flows On In Endless Song, (WOV 781)
1. My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far off hymn that hails a new creation.
Refrain:
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
2. Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth. Refrain
3. The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am His! How can I keep from singing! Refrain
Text and tune: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
DISMISSAL
The worship here has ended, now the service in the world begins.
Go in peace, and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
All Things Bright and Beautiful, William Henry Monk
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB125183.
Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-738200. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from CCLI with licenses #2332347and #20946066 . All rights reserved.”